SYNTHESIS OF TiO2/GF-Ni HYBRID MATERIALS BY A COMBINED CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION/RF MAGNETRON SPUTTERING APPROACH

Graphene, and recently 3D graphene networks, have attracted widespread attention in electrocatalysis of wastewater contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes, and solvents, owing to their large surface area and easy regeneration capacity. Even higher efficiency is foreseen in the combination with large bandgap TiO2, an outstanding candidate for the photoelectrocatalytic wastewater's decontamination due to its high photocatalytic activity, environmental stability, and nontoxicity. In this context, the 3D graphene networks were obtained by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on standard commercial nickel foam and the TiO2 thin films were deposited using a reactive radiofrequency magnetron sputtering system from a titanium target in an argon/oxygen gas mixture. The obtained materials were subsequently investigated by X-ray diffraction, .field emission scanning electron, and high-resolution Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical response of the obtained materials has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Herein we present the suitability of chemical vapor deposition/RF magnetron sputtering methods to synthesize TiO2/GF-Ni hybrids for electrochemical applications.